Much of their ammunition comes straight from a Denver Post article last September by Washington correspondent Michael Riley. The Post article cited top Democratic sources saying the Obama administration “suggested a place for Romanoff might be found” in the executive branch. The implication was that the job would be available if Romanoff dropped any challenge to appointed Sen. Michael Bennet for the Colorado Democratic primary.

Sestak is the Pennsylvania Democratic Congressman who beat longtime incumbent Sen. Arlen Specter in the keystone state’s Senate primary. He went public with allegations the Obama administration offered him a job if he’d drop the run at Specter.

Colorado Republican Party chairman Dick Wadhams wants the public to draw a direct connection between Sestak and Romanoff.

“It’s reprehensible to have an administration, especially the one that has set itself up as the paragon of ethical virtue, to run around trying to buy off candidates to get out of these competitive primaries,” said Wadhams, by cell phone from North Carolina where he is getting married this weekend. “Buying them off with taxpayer-funded jobs. It’s reprehensible, it shouldn’t happen, and it’s clear we now have two very clear examples of where the administration attempted to do that.”

Romanoff today declined to comment on the issue.

“It’s clear that Andrew Romanoff certainly hasn’t answered the question of what was offered to him,” Wadhams said. “He certainly didn’t repudiate those rumors. So it strikes me that Romanoff was part of this White House plan to buy off candidates they did not want running in these primaries.”

Bennet’s office came under fire from Wadham’s blast as well. Seven Republican Senators on the Judiciary Committee have written the Obama administration asking for a special prosecutor to look into the Sestak comments.

“And what did Bennet know, and when did he know it?” Wadhams asked. “I don’t think this was done in a vacuum without Bennet knowing it. I think he needs to be asked the same questions.”

Bennet campaign spokesman Trevor Kincaid said Thursday, “Republicans are doing whatever they can to divert attention away from their fractured party and vicious primary, it’s not surprising they would rather play political games than talk about their failed policies that are at the root of the economic crisis. Michael Bennet is focused on solutions, not dragging up petty political attacks.”

Though much of the noise so far is coming from conservative bloggers linking to the same articles and comments, the clamor grew loud enough that Obama addressed it in a press conference answer Thursday. Asked about the Sestak job offer, Obama said his staff would be talking about it “shortly.”

Other news organizations and bloggers are pointing out that it’s a very fuzzy line between political “horse trading” and actual bribery. They say that administrations past, including Republican presidents, have often suggested a better job might be waiting if a primary opponent stepped aside for a party favorite.

This is the sort of thing that Andrew Romaoff is fighting — the special interest/insider garbage that pervades politics today. Wadhams is just trying to drag Romanoff in on this to score a few local political points, nothing more, since he's fieled a pair of losing candidates no matter who wins the GOP primary.Obama is just trying to stick his nose once again into Colorado politics, just like he did when he pressured Ritter to nomunate Senator Who? to replace the (soon-to-be-former?) Sec. of Interior Salazar.Wouldn't it be nice if Colorado Demnocrats could select their own candidates to represent them?

David Johnson

If Romanoff does not want to be dragged into the fray, he could have kept his mouth shut about the White House offer. I always thought this kind of bribery was usual and customary in both parties. Suddenly I find that such offers are not just slimy, but against the law.

DAve R.

I can't see how the Rupublicans can make this under the radar deal stick after all in-your-face back room thug beatings it took to make Health Care Reform pass. Even if Obama did commit a Felony you need the majority of the house to prosicute. Yeh, good luck with that one.

Paul

“Republicans trying hard to make Joe Sestak’s job-trading allegations stick are dragging Colorado Senate challenger Andrew Romanoff into the argument.”There is a difference between Republicans trying to make an allegation made by Sestak himself “stick,” and the media (like the Denver Post) ignoring the story and hoping it would go away. Twice now Sestak has had this occurred. Either he is lying or someone in the White House broke the law. Either possibility is a great story for the media, but because it involves the Obama Administration you all are doing your level best to ignore it.And the Denver Post wonders why they keep losing more subscribers every year. Blogs like this are their answer.

richard harlan

Oh good Lord, what a stupid non-issue for conservatives to try to grab on to, grasping for straws. If they’re that afraid of Romanoff they’d be better served by finding a candidate in their own party that has some virtue and know-how that would be a better choice for voters. Goes back to the idea that you look good by making the other guy look bad, and that may be a little tough since Romanoff does appear to be pretty much a stand up guy when compared to most all other politicos.

maryb

David Johnson,
Romanoff has kept his mouth shut about this. It was the Bennet campaign that last Fall was clamoring about how Romanoff could have accepted a DC job offer and stay out of the primary.

Sean

The fact that the national media has not run with this is truly disturbing. There are only two possibly explanations. These men have lied about the job offers and they need to resign from the races they are currently in, or the Obama team has committed numerous felonies and should be prosecuted up to impeachment. I do not say that lightly even though I think he is the worst president ever. Biden would then become president and Pelosi the VP which would be worse for everyone but the law is the law.

Froward

I for one appreciate the Post Ignoring desperate attempts at power grabs done by republicans. As we have all seen in the past republican talking points more often than not turn out to be nothing more than propagandist falsehoods. Republicans know that a Dem will win the Colorado Senate race. they are just Hoping it is Bennet whom has proven himself to be aligned with corporate interests. dragging Romanoff into the argument. Clearly had a job offer been taken up, Romanoff would not still be in the running (and winning) for the Senate seat.this is nothing but a red herring. paraded by republicans to distract from their clear attempt at party power before country.

H.D. Miller

So, the White House commits a crime, and the Denver Post goes after the Republicans for mentioning it?Well done, Michael Booth!

Jack

They were quicker dreaming up the truth than I thought they would be. Of course calling in the head story teller Bill Clinton probably helped. He keeps a book of prepared “truths” just to keep Hillary off his back.

So much transperancy in this current administration–I just can't take it any longer–LOL”Whoever, directly or indirectly, promises any employment,position, compensation, contract, appointment, or other benefit,provided for or made possible in whole or in part by any Act ofCongress, or any special consideration in obtaining any suchbenefit, to any person as consideration, favor, or reward for anypolitical activity or for the support of or opposition to anycandidate or any political party in connection with any general orspecial election to any political office, or in connection with anyprimary election or political convention or caucus held to selectcandidates for any political office, shall be fined under thistitle or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.”http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/uscode/18/I/29/600

JS

To point out that such things may have happened in the past, by either party, or that it is business as usual, does not really play in the favor of a “change” in how Washington politics are done, or fulfull the promise of a transparent administration. Isn't that why people voted for Obama, because they were tired of this sort of thing?

Lynn Bartels thinks politics is like sports but without the big salaries and protective cups. The Washington Post's "The Fix" blog has named her one of Colorado's best political reporters and tweeters.

Joey Bunch has been a reporter for 28 years, including the last 12 at The Denver Post. For various newspapers he has covered the environment, water issues, politics, civil rights, sports and the casino industry.